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Patented July 15, 1884.

UNITED .STATES Pninnvr OFFICE.'

' i BENOIT ROUX, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

. CASTER.

SPECIFICATION forming'part of Letters Patent No. 301,925, dated July 15, 1884. Y

Application filed June 12, 1S3. (No model.) l

.T all whom it may concern: i

' .Be it known that I, BENOIT ROUX, of the city of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Casters, of which the following isa specication.

My invention is especially designed for use in connection with furniture, but may be used for any of the purposes for which a caster can 1o be employed. For example, the caster can be used for trucks of various descriptions.

I The nature of my invention and its various advantages will be apparent from the drawings and the following description and claims.

i Referring to the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure l is a side elevation of the caster. Fig. 2 is arear elevation of the same. Fig. Sis a vertical central section ofthe same, taken at thelinex of Fig. 2. Figs. 4,

2o 5, 6, and 7 represent modifications of a certain portion of my invention.

I employ one or two main or floor wheels, A,

which are suitably j ournaled in a frame or yoke,

B. For most purposes .for which such casters are employed two such wheels are desirable, and hence in the drawings I have shown the caster as provided with two such wheels, a journal-shaft, a., passing through'said yoke and the wheels.

3o The yoke B is made of a suitable "metal,

preferably of cast-iron or brass,and the wheels may also be made of any suitable material.

- At the back of the yoke B is formed a socket, b,which incloses and supports the end C of the 3 5 shank C', which end C is of a globular or other form. When the yoke is to be cast, the head C is placed in the moldin which the yoke B is cast, and the yoke is then cast around the head C, and in this manner a ball-and-socket joint 4o is formed between the yokeB and the shank C. v

In' the upper front portion of the yoke B is formed arecess, d, in which recess is j ournaled a friction-roller, D, the axis of rotation of said roller being preferably at right angles to the shaft a,and the periphery of the roller D,when

in position, projecting slightly above the upper face ofthe yoke B,to receive the edge ofthe flange e of the cap E. The shank C is preferably rnade of wrought-iron, and Iis surrounded 5o by a bushing or cap, E, the upper end of the shank being riveted to prevent the bushing from coming off from the shank. This shank is, however, free to turn in the cap E. The lower end of the cap E is formed into or proi vided with'a circular disk'or flange or plate of 55 suitable shape, e,the diameter of which is such that it will extendbeyond the friction-roller D, upon which said flange rests, substantially as shown. The bushing or cap E is to be secured in or tothe article which is to be supported by the caster, and the shank C being free to turn in said cap, and the head or ball Cbeing also free to turn in the socket b in the yoke, a double joint is made between the yoke and the bushing, which greatly lessens the friction,and the shank C being connected to the yokeBby a ball-and-socket joint, the :yoke is. free to tilt in any direction to accommodate the rol1- ers or wheels A to any inequalities inthe oor or surface over which 'the caster is to pass, and the caster will thus move easily over the sur face, although the surface may be somewhat uneven,and by the ball-and-socket connection between thev shank and the-yoke B, (the shank being free to turn in the bushing or cap E,) the yoke turns very easily. o

Casters made according to my invention are much cheaper of manufacture than the nonfriction, casters heretofore made, work with much less friction, and are more substantial and durable.

The head C of the shank C is preferably globular, Vbut may be of Vany suitable shape which allows the shank to oscillate, as respects the yoke, .in a directionv parallel to the plane of the axis of the main wheel or wheels A. Some suitable forms of said head are shown in Figs. 4E, 5, 6, and 7 5 but where-the head is globular or semi-globular, the lower portion at least being globular, the shank and yoke are free to oscillate in respect to each other in any direction. Such a globular form is preferable.

Preferably for most purposes for which casters areused, the top of the socket overlaps a 95 part of the head ofthe shank and prevents the latter from being retracted.l

The various features of my invention are preferably employed together; but one or more of them may be employed without the remainder, and, when desired, one or more of said features may be employed, so far as applicable, in connection with casters other than that specically hereinbefore set forth.

ICO

Vhat I claim as new and of my invention, I 2. In a non-friction easter, the socket or and desire to secure by Letters Patent, ishousing supporting and inelosing the ball or l. In a non-friction easter, the main wheel, curved head of the shank, said socket or housyoke, or housing having the socket receiving ing being east around the said ball or head, I5 5 and supporting and inolosing the head of the the latter beingr free to oscillate therein, subshank, the said head being globular, or shaped stantially as and for the purposes specified. substantially as specified, and fitted into and nelosed by the socket, and capable of oscillating LEN OIT ROUX therein, but so as not to be Withdrawn in either Attest: 1o direction when in use as a easter, substantial] y .J. WM. STnEULr,

as and for the purposes specified. XVM/FER CirAMnnnLiN. 

